Slide box for cigarettes or the like



March 22, 1960 w. F. O'GORMAN SLIDE BOX FOR CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1957 icq.

W/LL/AM E UGO/6W4 BY 4 I g.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS March 22, 1960 w. F. OGORMAN SLIDE BOX FOR CIGARETTES OR THELIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 1, 1957 INVENTOR. w/LL/AM E O'GOEM/IA/ATTORNEYS SLIDE BOX FOR CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE Wiiliam F. OGorman, NewYork, N.Y., assiguor to Garrett Container Corporation, New York, N.Y., acorporation of New York Application November 1, 1957, Serial No. 693,839

10 Claims. (Cl. 229-11) This invention relates to small pocketableboxes, particularly for protectively housing and dispensing cigarettes.

The primary object of the present invention is to generally improvecigarette boxes. A more particular object is to provide a box adaptedfor easy one-hand operation. Still another object is to provide a slidebox comprising an outer container and an inner slide carrying thecigarettes, with the slide including a rigid but flexibly hinged cap toclose the open end of the outer container. In accordance with a furtherfeature and object of the invention, the arrangement is such that thecap readily tips away from the upper ends of the cigarettes when theslide is raised, and on the other hand, the cap is automatically swunginto position over the ends of the cig-' arettes when the slide ispulled down.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more specificobjects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the slidebox, and the elements thereof, and their relation one to another, as arehereinafter more particularly described in the following specification.The specification is accompanied by drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a box embodying features of myinvention, with the box closed;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the box open to expose and to dispensecigarettes;

Fig. 3 shows the blank used to form the outer container of the box;

Fig. 4 shows the blank used to form the inner slide of the box;

Fig. 5 illustrates partial folding of the slide;

Fig. 6 shows the slide completely folded;

Fig. 7 shows partial folding of the outer container;

Fig. 8 illustrates a further step in the folding of the outer container;

Fig. 9 shows still another step in the folding of the outer container;

Fig. 10 shows the folded outer container;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section through an open box, drawn to enlargedscale;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section through a closed box, drawn to enlargedscale;

Fig. 13 is explanatory of a modification of the slide; and

Fig. 14 is explanatory of a modification of the outer container.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, theslide box comprises an outer container 12, and an inner slide 14, thelatter carrying cigarettes 16, or any like bunch of collateral, slender,elongated articles, for example, little cigars, candy cigarettes, etc.The outer container 12 is open at the top, its open peripheral edgebeing indicated at 18. v 1

The slide comprises a body portion (24 in Figs. 11 and 12) which isconcealed within the container 12, and it further comprises a cap 20,and'a neck 22 between the cap 20 and the body 24. Referring to Fig. 11,the

nited States Patent 0 2,929,542 Patented Mar. 22, 1960 body 24 of theslide has a closed bottom 26, and is dimensioned to be frictionallyslidable in the container 12. The body 24 is shorter than the container12, as is best shown in Fig. 12. By moving the slide 14 upward, the cap20 and neck 22 are exposed above the outer container 12. In Figs. 2 and11 it will be seen that the neck 22 is flexible, so that the cap thenreadily tips rearward away from the upper ends of the cigarettes 16.Conversely, by comparison of Figs. 11 and 12 (or 1 and 2), it will beseen that when the slide 14 is pulled down into the outer container 12,the cap is automatically swung into position over the ends of thecigarettes, thereby closing the open top end of the box, as shown inFigs. 1 and 12.

The outer container has a closed rectangular bottom (28 in Figs. 11 and12). The face walls, that is, the front and back walls, are rectangular,and similarly the edge walls are rectangular. One of the walls,preferably the front wall, has a finger slot 30 extending longitudinallytherethrough.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, the cap 20 preferably has a top wall 32, aback wall 34, and short edge walls 36, but it has no front wall. Theneck 22 is preferably formed integrally with the back wall 34 of the capand the back wall 38 of the slide, but in such case is scored by aplurality of score lines, in this case three score lines indicated at40, to make the same flexible even though the paper used for the cartonis somewhat stiff.

The front wall of the slide body preferably has a finger hole 42 whichis exposed in the finger slot 30, and which facilitates moving the slideup or down by means of ones thumb, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, whileholding the package in one hand. Preferably the front wall of the slidebody is made of double thickness, with the inner layer imperforate,while the outer layer has the finger hole 42.

A preferred form of blank for the slide is shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawing. This has areas making up a back wall 38, edge walls 44, 46, andoverlapping front walls' 48 and 50. The walls have projections at thebottom forming tabs 5'2, 54 and flaps 56, 58.

Referring next to Fig. 5, the edge wall 46 has been folded upwardly, andthe front wall 50 has been folded to the left. The tabs 52 and 54 areshown turned about ninety degrees. It will be evident that the edge wall44 may next be turned upward, and the front wall 48 turned over to theright. as shown in Fig. 6. Moreover, with the tabs 52 and 54 turned in,it becomes an easy matter to bend the flap 58, upward, and the flap 56downward, to close the bottom. Cement or adhesive is shown applied tofiap 56, and it will be understood that the adhesive mav be applied toflap 58 instead of flap 56, if flap 58 is folded outside flap 56.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the front wall 48 has the finger hole 42. The frontwall 48 is therefore folded outside the front wall 50. In Fig. 5, cementor adhesive is shown at 600m front wall 50, but the adhesive may beapplied to the inner face of front wall 48, instead of the outer face offront wall 50.

Reverting to Fig. 4, the back 34 of the cap is a direct extension of theback 38, and these are integrally connected by the neck 22. The multiplescore lines for the neck are shown at 40. The top of the cap is formedby the rectangle 32, and the sides of the cap are formed by thegenerally triangular parts 36. The latter have tabs 62 projectingupwardly therefrom, and the top 32 has a flan 64 projecting upwardly.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the sides 36 have been turned upward, and thetabs 62 have been turned at right angles. The top 32 may nextbe turnedupward, following which the flap 64 may be reversely turned downward andinward, so that thetabs 62. are embraced between the top steam 32 andthe flap 64. Cement or adhesive isapplied to the flap 64. as shown inFig. 5, and the parts are thus held in final form when folded as shownin Fig. 6. At this time, the cap has substantially a triple thickness atthe top 32, counting the tabs 62. The cap is rigid, because of the sides36.

The blank for the outer container is shown in Fig. 3,

and it comprises a front wall 66, back wall68, edge walls 70 and 72, andan overlapping edge Wall 74. I The walls are extended at the bottom toprovide tabs 76, 78 and flaps 80, 82. The walls are; also projected atthe top to provide relatively narrow flanges 84, 86, 88 and 90. Thefinger slot 30 is punched throiigh the front wall 66during--rnanufacture of the blank. i

The flanges at thetop may have a cement or adhesive applied thereto, andare then folded downward and secured in position, as shown by the changefrom Fig. 3 to Fig. 7. In simplest form, all four flanges are turneddown simultaneously, but if desired, the flange Q may be left up at thistime (Fig. 7) for a reason explained v later.

The blank is then rolled or folded on yertical and lines to form arectangular tube. This is suggested in Fig. 8,

in which the front wall 66 has been turned up, and the edge wall 72 hasbeen turned to the .left. 'It will be understood that the opposite edg'ewall 70 (Fig-p7) is not visible in Fig. 8,-it being concealed by theedge wall 72. Also, the tabs 76 and 78 (Fig. 7) have been turned in atright angles from the edge walls, and are not visible in Fig. 8. a

By continuing the rolling or folding operation, the rectangular tube orsleeve may be completed as shown in Fig. 9. Adhesive or cement appliedto the edge wall 72 or 74 (Fig. 7) serves to hold the parts in assembledrelation, it being understood that adhesive may be applied on the outerface of the inner Wall or on the inner face of the outer wall. The flaps80 and 82 are turned inward around the tabs, andFig. 8 shows adhesiveapplied 7 to the flap 80. Here again, (as in Figs. 4, 5 and '6) it willbe understood that either flap rnaybe the outer flap, and that adhesivemay be applied to the inner face of the outer flap,or the-outer face; ofthe inner flap.

In Fig. 8 the flange 90 is still up, and it remains so in Fig. 9.However, it is finally turned down, and may be cemented in position. Byturning it downlast, it maybe used to enclosethe upper edge of the wall74,

that is, it encloses both 'thicknesses of the edge wall 7 made upof theparts 72 and 7 4. I If wall. 74 is to be outside, the flange 90r'nay beput at the top of wall 74.

However, it will be understood that it is not essential to so useflange'90, and in simpler form, all four flanges push theslide into thecontainer. The cigarettes may be loaded into the slide laten 'but' inpreferred form,

the cigarettes are loaded into the slide before the slide i is put intothe container. Indeed, the container or outer blank may be folded aboutthe load'edfslide whenmaking the container. 1

Referring now to Fig. 12 of the drawing, it will be seen that theinturned flange 88 forms a'ledge or stop at itsfbottom edge -92. Thiscooperates with the top edge 94 of the front wall 48 of the slide, toarrest upward motion of the slide, as "is indicated'by' the'change fromFig. 12 to Fig. -11 of-the 'drawing. .It'will also be observed that'therelative location ofth'e stop edges 92,

94 is such that the cap, 20 and the neck' 22 are moved fully out of thecontainer 12 wh'e'n'the slide is stopped.

' I facilitates free rearward movement of the cap to 4 expose the endsof the cigarettes, as shown in Figs. 2 and 11.

The proportions of the box are such that the cap 20 (Fig. 12) comes alittle below the top edge 18 of the container 12, when the slide ismoved downward until it reaches the bottom of the container; This helpsseal the top of the box during use. 7 During shelf-life the box iswrapped and sealed in the usual cellophane or like wrapper.

It will be understood that the finger hole need not be literally asingle hole. It may be made of a number of slots or narrow holes, asshown at 96 in Fig. 13. It will also be understood that it is notessential that the front of the slide beof double thickness, althoughthat is preferred so that the finger holes may be provided in the outerthickness alone. It will also be understood that ridges or corrugationsmay be formed instead of holes, for the purpose is merely to provide asurface which facilitates movement of the slide by means of ones thumbwhile holding the box in one hand. However, one large hole is preferred.

It is'convenient but not essential to provide the outer container with abottom wall; This is so because the slide has its own bottom wall, andthe outer container therefore could be open at the bottom, although itis preferred to close it at the bottom in order to strengthen the boxand to provide a bottom stop. Fig. 14 shows a modified blank for theouter container. This blank has narrow flanges folded down at the top,and has similar narrow flanges folded up at the bottom. It will beevident that when the blank is folded into a rectangular tube, the tubewill be open-ended; By making the outer container slightly longer thanthe slide, the bottom flange may be used as a bottom stop, analogous tothe top front flange being used as a top stop. Itis not essential tohave stops, because the movement of the slide in the container isfrictional, and ones thumb inotion is limited by the length of thefinger slot 30. I

It is believed that, the construction and method of use of my improvedslide, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from theforegoing detailed description. It will also beappa'rent thatwhile Ihave shown and described my invention in several preferred forms,changes may be made in the structures shown, without departing from thescope 'of the invention, as sought to be defined in the followingclaims. In the foregoing description and in the claims, I refer to thetop and bottom of the box, and to fupward and downward move ment of theslide, but this is merely. for convenience, because the box need not beheld upright. Indeed, in most cases it will be held at an angle, or evenhorizontal, with the finger slot upward, so that the cap readily dropsdownward to expose the ends of the cigarettes.

. I claim: I a e 1.A slide box for cigarettes or a like bunch ofcollateral slender elongated articles, said box comprising an outercontainer, and an inner slide carrying the cigarettes,

said outer container having a closed rectangular bottom and an open top,the face and edge walls of the container being rectangular, and one ofsaid walls having a finger slot extending longitudinally therethroughsaid slide comprising a body, a cap and a neck therebetween, said bodyhaving side walls and a closed bottom, and'be- 'ing dimensioned to beslidable in said container but being shorter than said container, saidcap providing a top wall, a back wall, and edge walls but no front wall,

taine'r to close the open end of the container, said neck connecting theback wall of the'body with the back wall of the cap, and beingflexiblewhereby the cap readily tips rearward away from: the upper ends of thecigarettes U slot of the outer container to facilitate moving the slideup or down relative to the outer container, the arrangement being suchthat when the slide is pulled down into the outer container, the cap isautomatically swung into position over the ends of the cigarettes toclose the open end of the box.

2. A slide box as defined in claim 1, in which the top edge of the frontwall of the outer container has a flange folded inwardly and downwardlyto provide a stop ledge which limits the upward sliding movement of theslide, said stop ledge being so located relativeto the top of the frontwall of the body of the slide that the motion of the slide is arrestedwhen the cap and neck of the slide have been moved out of the outercontainer.

3. A slide box as defined in claim 1, in which the four edges of theopen top of the container have narrow flanges which are turned inwardlyand downwardly to better finish and to stiffen the open top of the outercontainer, the flange at the front wall of the outer container acting asa motion limiting stop, and being so located relative to the top edge ofthe front wall of the slide that upward motion of the slide is arrestedwhen the cap and neck of the slide have been moved out of the outercontainer.

4. A slide box as defined in claim 1, in which the outer container ismade of a one-piece blank of stiff paper folded to provide front, backand edge walls with an overlap at one edge wall, said walls beingextended at the bottom to provide tabs and flaps which close the bottom,and said walls being extended at the top to provide flanges, said slidealso being formed of a single blank of relatively stiff paper, saidblank being folded to provide back and edge walls for the body of theslide and overlapping front walls providing the two layers of materialone of which has the finger hole, said walls having extensions at thebottom to provide tabs and flaps for closing the slide at the bottom,said blank having multiple score lines at the neck portion to make thesame flexible, and having back, top and edge parts including additionaledge tabs and a top flap to form the cap of the slide.

5. A slide box for cigarettes or a like bunch of collateral slenderelongated articles, said box comprising an outer container, and an innerslide carrying the cigarettes, said outer container having a closedrectangular bottom and an open top, the face and edge walls of thecontainer being rectangular, and one of said face walls having a fingerslot extending longitudinally therethrough, said slide comprising abody, a cap, and a neck therebetween, said body having side walls and aclosed bottom, and being dimensioned to be slidable in said containerbut being shorter than said container, said cap providing a top wall, aback wall and edge walls but no front wall, and being dimensioned to beslidably received in the container in order to close the open end of thecontainer, said neck being integral with and connecting the back wall ofthe body to the back wall of the cap, and being transversely scored by aplurality of score lines to make the same flexible, whereby the capreadily tips rearward away from the upper ends of the cigarettes whenthe slide is raised to expose the cap and neck, the front wall of saidbody being made of two layers of material, the inner of which isirnperforate and the outer of which has a finger hole which is exposedin the aforesaid finger slot of the outer container to facilitate movingthe slide up or down relative to the outer container, the arrangementbeing such that when the slide is pulled down into the outer container,the cap is automatically swung into position over the ends of thecigarettes to close the open end of the box.

6. A slide box as defined in claim 5, in which the top edge of the frontwall of the outer container has a flange folded inwardly and downwardlyto provide a stop ledge which limits the upward sliding movement of theslide, said stop ledge being so located relative to the top of the frontwall of the body of the slide that the motion of the slide is arrestedwhen the cap and neck of the slide have been moved out of the outercontainer.

'7. A slide box as defined in claim 5, in which the four edges of theopen top of the container have narrow flanges which are turnedinwardlyand downwardly to better finish and to stiffen the open top ofthe outer container, the flange at the front wall of the outer containeracting as a motion limiting stop, and being so located relative to thetop edge of the front wall of the slide that upward motion of the slideis arrested when the cap and neck of the slide have been moved outof theouter container.

8. A slide box as defined in claim 5, in which the outer container ismade of a one-piece blank of stiff paper folded to provide front, backand edge walls with an overlap at one edge wall, said walls beingextended at the bottom to provide tabs and flaps which close the bottom,and said walls being extended at the top to provide flanges, said slidealso being formed of a single blank of relatively stiff paper, saidblank being folded to provide back and edge walls for the body of theslide and overlapping front walls providing the two layers of materialone of which has the finger hole, said walls having extensions at thebottom to provide tabs and flaps for closing the slide at the bottom,said blank having multiple score lines at the neck portion to make thesame flexible, and having back, top and edge parts including additionaledge tabs and a top flap to form the cap of the slide.

9. A slide box for cigarettes or a like bunch of collateral slenderelongated articles, said box comprising an outer container, and an innerslide carrying the cigarettes, said outer container having a closedrectangular bottom and an open top, the face and edge walls of thecontainer being rectangular, and one of said face walls having a fingerslot extending longitudinally therethrough, said slide comprising abody, a cap, and a neck therebetween, said body having side walls and aclosed bottom, and being dimensioned tobe slidable in said container butbeing shorter than said container, said cap providing a top wall, a backwall and edge walls but no front wall, and being dimensioned to beslidably received in the container, said neck being integral with andconnecting the back wall of the body to the back wall of the cap, andbeing transversely scored by a plurality of score lines to make the sameflexible, whereby the cap readily tips rearward away from the upper endsof the cigarettes when the slide is raised to expose the cap and neck,the top edge of the front wall of the outer container having a flangefolded inwardly and downwardly to provide a stop ledge which limits theupward sliding movement of the slide, said stop ledge being so locatedrelative to the top of the front wall of the body of the slide that themotion of the slide is arrested by engagement of said stop ledge withthe top of said front wall when the cap and neck of the slide have beenmoved out of the outer container. 7

10. A slide box for cigarettes or a like bunch of collateral slenderelongated articles, said box comprising an outer container, and an innerslide carrying the cigarettes, said outer container having a closedrectangular bottom and an open top, the face and edge walls of thecontainer being rectangular, and one of said face walls having a fingerslot extending longitudinally therethrough, said slide comprising abody, a cap, and a neck therebetween, said body having side walls and aclosed bottom, and being dimensioned to be slidable in said containerbut being shorter than said container, said cap providing a top wall, aback wall and edge walls but no front wall, and being dimensioned to beslidably received in the container in order to close the open end of thecontainer, said neck being integral with and connecting the back wall ofthe body to the back wall of the cap, and being transversely scored by aplurality of score lines to make the same flexible, whereby the capreadily tips rearward away from the upper ends of 11$ cigarettes whenthe slide" is raised to expose the cap and neck, the four edges of theopen top'of thecontainer having narrow flanges which are turned inwardlyand downwardly to better finish and to'stifienthe open top of the outercontainer, the flange 5 at the front wall of the outer container actingas a motion limiting stop, and being so located relative to the top edgeof the front wall of the slide that upward motion of the slide isarrested by engagement of said stop ledge 'with the top of said frontwall when the cap and neck 16 of the slide have been moved out of theouter container.

References Cited, iii the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSBailey e--- Nov. 4, 1890 Colintryman Aug. 18, 1936 Williamson July 25,1944 McCormick Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN; PATENTS V Great Britain Jan. 18,1917

